AIRPORT AUTHORITY

New Chattanooga City Councilman Moses Freeman plans to leave the board overseeing Chattanooga Airport, and his replacement is slated to be named by the end of the month.

"I do not plan to continue," said Freeman on Wednesday, adding he has already talked to the mayor's office about finding someone to put in his place.

Berke spokeswoman Lacie Stone said the mayor plans to name a replacement for Freeman by the end of this month.

The City Council confirms mayoral selections to the nine-member Airport Authority.

Freeman has served on the airport panel for about six years, having been appointed by former Mayor Ron Littlefield. Earlier this year, he defeated AndraéMcGary, for the District 8 seat on the City Council, for that post.

Freeman said the airport doesn't use city tax dollars and he's not paid as a member of the Airport Authority. The only benefit he receives is free parking at the airport for its meetings, he said.

But the retired city administrator and developer said he wanted to step aside to focus on his City Council slot and give someone else a chance to serve on the airport panel.

Freeman cited Lovell Field's expansion and growth during his years on the board. The panel has overseen a return of airport boarding to pre-Great Recession numbers, with enplanements hitting more than 307,000 last year, as well as growth on the west side of the main runway including a general aviation center and solar farm.

City Attorney Wade Hinton, himself recently appointed to that post, said he plans to take an overall examination of city boards and commissions and vacancies.